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The Poppy War

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The Poppy War

By: R.F. Kuang
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
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Winner of the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018

‘The best fantasy debut of 2018’ – WIRED

A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.

When Rin aced the Keju – the test to find the most talented students in the Empire – it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who had hoped to get rich by marrying her off; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free from a life of servitude. That she got into Sinegard – the most elite military school in Nikan – was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses a lethal, unearthly power – an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of psychoactive substances and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive – and that mastering these powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away…

©2018 Rebecca Kuang Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Historical Military Scary War
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There are quite a few reasons I enjoyed this book. The world building was interesting, the protagonist starts as a strong female with skill and determination and I felt as though I may have actually learned about warfare. However, as the book progresses I find the Rin get weaker and weaker. In the early days she is capable of making drastic decisions, big leaps of faith and shows so much perseverance at any cost. As I came to the half way mark I found myself exhausted by her constant self doubt, feeling sorry for herself and not standing up for people around her. How had she come so far pushing her limits and thinking for herself only to be made into a whiney mess?
Other characters also didn't feel too fleshed out. It felt like as soon as they gained enough 'screen time' to be memorable they were only introduced back into the story at random and short intervals, never really interacting with Rin though she is the only perspective we see.
Again though, I enjoyed the picture painted for me in terms of the world building. I just wish Rin had kept her (for lack of a better word) fiery personality

The characters lack consistency and depth

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At the beginning I really enjoyed this and the characters were engaging.
But half way through I got bored. I felt the author was repeating the same things and the story became dull. Not for me pity as had potential.

Started well but went downhill

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I cannot wait to listen to the he sequel, this was a brilliant and gripping story with interesting characters and world.

A fantastic and gripping story

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A few parts/events weren't concluded well in my opinion such as the tournament the outcome of it could of given so much more to the story. Some mundane and uninteresting parts were overly explained.

well worth the credit both the story and voicing

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This book is not only an incredible war/militarised Fantasy story dipped in Chinese mythology and history, it's also a fictional work that forces you to open your eyes and brain to history and cultures we don't necessarily talk much about in the Western world.
The sharp storytelling kept me on edge, I couldn't decide if I rooted or related or pitied and hated the morally grey characters full of life and layers that are depicted. I wasn't sure if I wanted to put down this book because I couldn't take more violence and abuse, the grim depiction of war... Or it if I actually couldn't stop reading because it pulled me in, made me want to know more and learn and understand...
I got swept by this story, and it took me on a voyage that taught me a lot about the historical events it draws from: the opium wars, the 2nd Sino Japanese war, Chinese mythology and colourism and assimilation of its different ethnicities, religions and cultures.
It's a grim fantasy story, it's touching on heavy topics with a descriptive language that does not shy away from the horrors of war. It's important as the events it is inspired from are very real and as dark and as terrible.
It is not a feel good book, it is not written for escapism into magical worlds. But it is an incredibly powerful story.
I think Emily Woo Zeller as the narrator does a good job, she does get a but shrill at times by it felt in keeping with the tone of the dialogues. I feel like she did justice to the pace of the writing too. I can't really vouch for the pronunciation, overall I guess my only criticism is about her male voices that sometimes feel a bit overacted ? but honestly I was so taken by the story that I quickly forgot about it all!

Grim Gripping Military Fantasy Story

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